The Saskatoon development appeals board has enforced regulations on a house in the Nutana neighborhood that surpasses height restrictions. The board stated that granting exceptions for the home would go against the zoning bylaw’s purpose. The three-story residence on University Drive, valued at $1.6 million, exceeds the maximum height allowed for homes in established areas by 1.4 meters and is wider than permitted.
The violations were discovered during an inspection in May when the house was nearing completion, leading the city to issue a stop work order. The current owners, Curtis and Rachelle Kelln, purchased the property a year ago from the late developer Karl Miller’s estate. They claimed they were unaware of the size limit breaches.
Jonathan Naylor, president of the Varsity View Community Association, supported the board’s decision, emphasizing the importance of regulations that prevent overly large structures from impacting neighboring properties negatively. Naylor expressed satisfaction with the ruling, highlighting concerns about privacy, shading, drainage, and tree space preservation.
Despite agreeing with the decision, Naylor raised questions about how the violations went unnoticed by both the previous owner and city inspectors during construction. Meanwhile, Douglas Tompson, a local resident, commended the board’s ruling but felt that not all raised issues were adequately addressed. Tompson defended the current homeowners, stating they were blameless victims in the situation.
Both Tompson and Naylor speculated that the matter might proceed to court due to its complexity. The decision by the development appeals board can be appealed to the Saskatchewan Municipal Board within 30 days. The Kellns refrained from commenting on the situation as they deliberate on their next steps, considering options like removing the third storey, which would involve significant costs and reconstruction.